Enjoying the Simple Things at Heavenly Haven 

When it comes to making a living, Hannah Middleton believes, “If you can help people, it will just come naturally.” 

She’s a teacher, Early Childhood Learning Center Founder, adult foster care provider, and new owner of Heavenly Haven group homes in Detroit Lakes. 

A Passion for People Starts Early 

It all started when Hannah and her siblings saw a need in their hometown, Davao, Philippines. Hannah was a teacher in the Philippines and saw that many families in the heart of the city could not afford to have their children in early childhood programs. So, in 2005, Hannah and her nine siblings opened a Tutorial School for kindergarteners, which eventually became Star Kids Early Childhood Tutorial Learning Center and serves over 100 children ages six to eleven. Two of Hannah’s siblings still manage the school today. 

“My dad believed I could make a difference in our community, so I opened up that school,” Hannah said. 

In 2010, Hannah and her husband Duane moved to Minnesota to be near Duane’s parents, who lived in Perham. However, after a few months, Hannah missed being a teacher. So, she began the process of getting her teaching license while working at Barrel O’Fun. Hannah went on to earn her Minnesota teacher’s license and became a Head Start teacher. 

A Chance Encounter Leads to a Sense of Purpose 

Jump to May 2020, the world was in lockdown, and Hannah needed a second job. One day, while checking the mail, her neighbor told Hannah that a local group home was looking for help every other weekend. Hannah had experience as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) and jumped at the chance to make a little extra money. Little did she know that she would eventually become the owner of that very group home. 

Working with adults who need help came easy to Hannah. She found this new line of work so rewarding that she decided to open her home to folks in need of adult foster care. Friends helped her figure out the licensing process, her husband agreed to help with the housework and the cooking, and soon they were adult foster care providers. 
 

A New Challenge Taken in Stride 

Two years later, Hannah heard the group home might be going up for sale. She couldn’t bear the thought of the group home being sold to someone else or closing. 

“So, I told my husband about it, and then I said, ‘I better start saving money,’” Hannah said. 

At first, Hannah thought the owner was just selling one of the two group homes she owned in Detroit Lakes. 

“And then later on, as we learned more about the licensing process, we found out it would be easier for her to sell both homes,” Hannah explained. “She decided to just sell everything, so she named the price.” 

Buying two homes was a little more than Hannah had bargained for. The two group homes are the primary residence for seven adults. 

“My thinking was, ‘I just have to work this out,’” Hannah explained. “Because if I don’t, where are these seven clients going to go?” 

An “Easy-Peasy” Solution 

Hannah needed to find a way to buy the group homes, so she stopped at her local bank. 

“I went to the bank, and the bank told me about West Central Initiative,” Hannah said. “The process was easy-peasy.” 

Since she had a relationship with the bank already, and the bank has a relationship with West Central Initiative, filling out the paperwork for the loan was a breeze. 

Hannah was able to get her Minnesota Health Care Provider license quickly, and the transition to the new owners and the new name, Heavenly Haven, has been smooth. 

Focusing on What Matters 

Since taking on the role of owner of Heavenly Haven, Hannah has made as few changes as possible. She understands that consistency and routine are key for her clients. 

“I’m continuing with what the previous owner did because I promised to step up and take care of them,” Hannah said.  

“It’s very homey,” Hanna explained. “The food is good, and the clients are loved and taken care of.” 

One thing that makes Heavenly Haven unique is the way the residents are integrated into the community. Staff are always happy to take residents out into the community to do things like see holiday lights, watch parades, go bowling, or compete in the Special Olympics.  

Hannah beams as she describes taking the residents to see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train.  

“They’re dancing in the streets,” Hannah said. “That’s their joy, to see something fun in the community. They’re just so ecstatic about it. It’s just a reminder to myself to look at the simpler joys in life.” 

“I’m kind of mesmerized by how happy they are because sometimes we dwell on what’s next on the to-do list and forget the present and how to enjoy life.” 

Advice from Hannah 

Hannah’s advice for folks looking to open a group home or adult foster care is, “Just put your heart in it.” 

“If you have the heart to take care of people, having an adult foster care business or opening a group home is going to be easy for you.” 

Heavenly Haven’s homes are full, and more adult foster care providers are always needed. 

“I want to encourage people to open their homes to adult foster care,” Hannah said. “Open your homes. Let someone be part of your family because if all of us open our homes, no one will be left behind.”